Former Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure Ordered to Pay Nearly $70K

Former Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure and her husband were ordered Thursday to repay nearly $70,000 plus interest to the state in an adoption fraud case.

"A person who had a high position of authority should be held to a higher standard," Garfield County District Judge Paul K. Woodward, who heard the case, told the couple.

Bass-LeSure, 44, pleaded guilty March 2 to two felony counts of obtaining public assistance by false representation. Her husband, Karlos Bass-LeSure, 48, pleaded guilty to one felony count of obtaining public assistance by false representation and one felony count of attempting to obtain public assistance.

They were accused of secretly giving twin babies to Ravonda L. Edwards, the sister of the judge's bailiff, after becoming the twins' foster parents. The couple became foster parents for the twins in 2008 and adopted them in 2010.

Edwards, 42, faces six felony counts in the case. She is due back in court June 1.

Defense attorneys argued during Thursday's restitution hearing that the couple did not owe any restitution because their children were entitled to money from adoption subsidies and foster care payments.

Full Article and Source:
Court Orders Former Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass La-sure to Pay Nearly $70,000

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Oaklahoma County Judge Faces More Accusations